Shoppers and families will enjoy Constitution Day along the Costa Blanca South, from Alicante to Torrevieja, as towns light up with early Christmas cheer and plenty of shopping.
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On December 6, Spain observes ‘Día de la Constitución’, Constitution Day, celebrating the 1978 referendum that marked the nation’s transition to democracy.
Along the southern Costa Blanca, the day carries its usual significance, but the way locals experience it has evolved into a mix of family gatherings, shopping trips and the unofficial start of the Christmas season.
In 2025, Constitution Day falls on a Saturday, with Inmaculada Concepción, Immaculate Conception Day, on Monday, giving much of Costa Blanca South a three-day break.
Schools close from Saturday through Monday, reopening on Tuesday, while most offices also pause unless they operate in tourism or retail, the busiest sectors of the region.
Balancing history with home life
While the day commemorates Spain’s democratic milestone, the weekend feels more domestic than ceremonial.
Families take the opportunity to decorate homes, set up nativity scenes and enjoy the mild winter climate. Children may have learned about the Constitution at school, but at home the focus is on simple traditions: shared meals, walks along the seafront, and catching the first hints of Christmas lights in town centres.
Shopping and dining: a rush before the holidays
The break is a prime time for Christmas shopping. Town centres from Alicante’s streets to Torrevieja’s coastal avenues bustle with shoppers visiting stores like El Corte Inglés or local boutiques.
Smaller villages, including Los Balcones and La Mata, experience a flood of parents and grandparents hunting for presents.
Restaurants are equally busy; reservations fill fast for family lunches or dinners, particularly in tourist-friendly Santa Pola and Guardamar del Segura.
Short escapes and local getaways
Many families use the long weekend for short getaways along the coast or inland.
Orihuela and Almoradí see visitors heading for rural casas or small countryside hotels, while beach towns enjoy increased footfall from tourists catching early December sun.
It’s a quiet form of travel, focused on relaxation rather than long-distance trips.
A local Constitution weekend
In Costa Blanca South, the Constitution weekend blends civic pride with daily life. Residents mark the nation’s democratic heritage while embracing festive routines, family time, and early Christmas cheer.
By Tuesday, schools reopen and offices resume work, but the streets remain lively, the first hints of the holiday season firmly in place along the southern Spanish coast.